Explain the difference between paraphrase and close paraphrase; how to ensure accuracy?

• A. Paraphrase restates meaning in your own words; close paraphrase mirrors language too closely; ensure accuracy by capturing meaning and confirming with the source
• B. Paraphrase and close paraphrase are the same
• C. You should always quote instead of paraphrase
• D. Close paraphrase is not a concern for accuracy

Answer: (A)

Paraphrase means restating the meaning in your own words, while a close paraphrase mirrors the source language more closely and can keep similar wording or sentence structure. The key idea is to convey the same idea without copying the exact phrasing.

To ensure accuracy, focus on preserving the original meaning, its nuances, and all essential details. After paraphrasing, compare your version with the source to confirm you haven’t added ideas or left out important information. If you’ve used any exact phrases, put them in quotation marks and provide a citation. Aim to change wording, order, and sentence structure enough that it’s clearly your own expression while keeping the same message.

The reason this answer fits best is that it separates the act of paraphrasing from the tendency to echo the source too closely, and it emphasizes how to check that you’ve kept the intended meaning intact. The other ideas aren’t as accurate: treating paraphrase and close paraphrase as the same misses how closely matching the source can create plagiarism risk; insisting you should always quote ignores the purpose of paraphrasing; and dismissing concerns about close paraphrase ignores the need to avoid mirroring language too closely.